Directorate Change

Barclays PLC
31 August 2006


31st August 2006

           Marcus Agius appointed to succeed Matt Barrett as Chairman

Barclays PLC ('Barclays') and Barclays Bank PLC ('Barclays') announce the
following changes to their Boards.

Matthew W Barrett (62) is to retire as Chairman on 31st December 2006. Mr
Barrett will be succeeded by Marcus Agius (60), who is appointed a non-executive
Director of Barclays with effect from 1st September 2006.

Marcus Agius is currently a Deputy Chairman of Lazard LLC and Chairman of Lazard
London. He has been Chairman of BAA plc since 2002. With effect from 1st January
2007, when he becomes Chairman of Barclays, he will relinquish all
responsibilities at Lazard.

Commenting, Matt Barrett says:

'It has been a great privilege to serve Barclays over the past seven years. It
has been fulfilling to lead the transformation of the business and the
transition to a powerful new management team under John Varley. The performance
of the Group is the best in its history and, with the transition to the new
management team successfully completed, I am delighted to hand over the
Chairman's reins to Marcus Agius who brings great experience, knowledge and
independence to the role.'

Commenting, John Varley, Group Chief Executive, says:

'Matt has been an inspirational leader at Barclays over the past seven years. He
set a clear strategy for the business and leaves the Group at a time of
considerable strength and record profitability. His Barclays colleagues will
miss him greatly. I am delighted that we have found a proven and strong
successor in Marcus Agius and I look forward to working with him.'

Commenting, Sir Nigel Rudd, Deputy Chairman, says:

'Having led the process to appoint a successor to Matt, I am delighted that
Marcus Agius has accepted the Board's invitation to become Chairman of Barclays.
He will bring enormous experience to the role. The Board owes a large debt of
gratitude to Matt for his contribution firstly as Group Chief Executive then as
Chairman, and we wish him well in his retirement.'

Commenting, Marcus Agius says:

'I am very pleased at the prospect of becoming Chairman of Barclays; it is a
great company with a distinctive portfolio of businesses and a strong brand. It
is well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities arising in the
financial services sector.'


                                      ENDS

Biographical details are attached.

Contractual arrangements are attached.

Photographs available at www.barclays.com


Contacts:

For further information please contact:-

Media Relations                       Investor Relations
Stephen Whitehead                     Anne Ramsay
[phone]                  [phone]


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES: MARCUS AGIUS

Education

St George's College, Weybridge

Trinity Hall, Cambridge

(MA, Mechanical Sciences & Economics)

Harvard Business School (MBA)


Professional Experience:

1968 - 1970           VICKERS LTD
                      Engineering Graduate Trainee

1972 - present        LAZARD
1981                  Director
1984                  Managing Director
1989 - 2002           Vice Chairman
1989 - 2002           Managing Director, Lazard Freres & Co LLC
2002 - date           Deputy Chairman, Lazard LLC
2002 - date           Chairman, Lazard Bank Ltd


Other company directorships:

---------------       -------------------------------
Formerly              Carless Capel and Leonard plc
                      Non-Executive Director

1995 - date           BAA plc
1995 - 1998           Non-Executive Director
1998 - 2002           Deputy Chairman
2002 - date           Chairman


 
                                                               31st August 2006

        Contractual Arrangements and Interests in Shares - Marcus Agius

The appointment of Mr Agius as a non-executive Director of Barclays PLC and
Barclays Bank PLC ('Bank') will become effective on 1st September 2006.

Mr Agius will become Chairman on 1st January 2007.

As a non-executive Director of Barclays, Mr Agius will receive an annual fee of
£65,000 (pro rata).

Service Contract

From 1st January 2007, on becoming Chairman, Mr Agius will receive a base salary
of £750,000. He will also be eligible for private health insurance. The time
commitment will be equivalent to 60% of a full time role.

Mr Agius is not eligible to participate in the Bank's bonus and long-term
incentive schemes, nor will he participate in the Bank's pension schemes or
receive any pension contributions.

Notice Period

The service contract provides for a notice period of 12 months from Barclays or
a notice period of 6 months from Mr Agius.

Contract Availability

Mr Agius' service contract will be held by the Barclays Corporate Secretariat
and will be available for inspection during normal business hours at the Group's
Head Office: 1 Churchill Place, London, E14 5HP from 1st September 2006.

Beneficial Interests in Barclays PLC Ordinary Shares

Mr Agius has no beneficial interests in the ordinary shares of Barclays PLC.

There are no other details that are required to be disclosed in respect of Mr
Agius' appointment under Paragraph 9.6.13 of the Listing Rules of the UK Listing
Authority.




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange